Product Description
This is a one-volume history of medieval Scotland, concentrating on the period between the middle of the eleventh century and the Reformation and taking full account of recent scholarship. It is primarily a political and ecclesiastical study, analysing the development of the institutions of the Scottish state, conflict and co-operation between the crown and the nobility, relations with external powers, the history of the church in Scotland, and the formation of a distinctive Scottish identity. The Wars of Independence are examined in their historical context, and elements of identity and change are identified across the whole period. Particular emphasis is placed upon relations between core and periphery in medieval Scotland and on the difficulties experienced by the crown in imposing royal authority in the north and west. ... Read more

Product Description
The spectacular Bronze Age remains on Orkney, the imposing Iron Age hill forts and brochs, the Antonine Wall built by the Romans—these are but a few of the best-known surviving monuments in which Scotland is so rich.

This updated edition of Ian Armit’s classic guide to Scotland’s archaeological heritage is complete with detailed instructions as to how to access every major site. ... Read more

Product Description
An ideal volume for anyone wanting a brisk overview of North Britain from the year dot to the twentieth century. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Mapless in Caledonia
Of course, if the only readers of THE HISTORY OF SCOTLAND were Scots themselves, a certain amount of knowledge could be assumed.However, as a North American, I confess to a (not overwhelming) ignorance of Scottish geography, never having set foot in that interesting land.A book of history with only two very basic maps (one geological !) is thereby injured right from the start.The flood of names, on the other hand, never ceases.Well, that's bound to happen when you try to cover a couple thousand years of history in 224 pages.The Somerset Fry duo plumped for a popular history.Fair enough.But I found that it was very much oriented to the procession of rulers, kings, leaders, battles, civil wars, and royal successions.There is very little on the life of the people, though a few small bows were made in that direction.As a popular history, I suppose theories and speculations on why certain trends occurred, why Scotland ultimately lost its independence and language (as opposed to Ireland), why the Scots put so much more faith in education than the English, and other interesting ideas were not de rigueur.I would never count myself at all knowledgeable about Scotland's history.This was the first book solely on the topic that I'd ever read, but I did wonder why issues such as 1) the long continuance of feudal rule, 2) the staying power of the clans, 3) the Clearances, and 4) the development of industry were not given more emphasis.I felt that the tone of the book was a little too much "Hurrah for us !"a phenomenon not exactly unknown (and lamented) on this side of the Atlantic.Very often it is books written by outsiders that give a more balanced view.Originally published in 1982, I had the 1995 American edition.In 1999, Scotland's Parliament arose once more.It is not too far-fetched to think that someday Scotland will take its rightful place among the nations of Europe--albeit a Europe that may be even more unified than it is today.Perhaps at that time, a wider-ranging and more balanced history may be written.

The History of Scotland
The Frys did an excellent job writing the history of Scotland when it came to the politics and kings of the old nation. The level of depth and detail was quite impressive and made for a slow enjoyable read. Of particularinterest to me was the concrete and emotional description of the militaryaffairs, which made for quite exciting reading indeed. The lack ofattention to the economic life of the country is somewhat of a letdownhowever. Most sections are dispersed and attached almost as anafterthought. It is also quite clear that the interest of the authors flagsafter the Jacobite rebellions and the last 100 years is scarcely touched atall, with what little there is being a good study of the drive towardsdevolution. An additional chapter or two dealing with the 20th centurywould have made a good book excellent. This would have had the effect ofclinching the reader's appreciation of the Scots, whom the Frys obviouslylove very much.

History of Scotland ( Fry ): An accurate history
This book provides an excellent view of the history of Scotland, from the Medieval times to the recent wars. This book provides an accurate history and is good for research an general interest alike. The best modern-day description of Scotland's intense history. ... Read more

Product Description
The New Penguin History of Scotland brings together the work of Scotland's foremost historians in a volume that is essential reading for anyone interested in Scotland and her people.Exploring the last 8,000 years of the country's history, from the scarcely documented Neolithic period to the current state of the nation, The New Penguin History of Scotland draws on the latest scholarship and a wide range of other disciplines-archaeology, social sciences, economics, science, religion, and literature. With individual chapters written by a leading expert on each particular period, The New Penguin History of Scotland illuminates the many ways in which the nation's history has shaped its national identity-going beyond the stories of kings, bishops, and battles to bring to life the history of the country's environment, family, and community. Lavishly illustrated, this engaging book will quickly establish itself as the most authoritative and comprehensive history of Scotland available today. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent history!
True, if you want a breezy tour guide you should look elsewhere. But if you're looking for up to date scholarly information on the history of Scotland, this is an excellent general collection. Highly recommended as a thorough overview, or as a starting place for more in-depth research.

Simply put it: Awful!!
I bought this book because i will be visiting Scotland next year.Altough i dont like the Penguin History Books i decided to gave it try.Boy, what an awful and dry book.This book has several problems.BUt the one that bothered me the most was that is just to dry.I mean you just dont enjoy reading this book because the authors are just too academic.They try to cover a lot of areas that dont need covering.And the way they describe things and places and events is just plain and without life.The book was written for college profesors that dont want to go on field trips.You dont get anything out of this book and i found myself reading faster on some areas to get to parts that were most interesting but the more i read the more disappointed i got.I had to throw the book away cause i couldnt finish it.Save your money! ... Read more

Product Description
It's history with the nasty bits left in! Want to know how to play gruesome games like Twisting the Cow? What the Scots used to do with burnt pigeon droppings? Whether you're glaikit, douce or peelie-wally? Find out the truth about William Wallace, the disgusting details of sick Scottish torture techniques, and how to terrify a tourist with gory Scottish ghost stories. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

My son loves them
I cannot tell you how much my nine year old son loves the Horrible History series. He'll finish reading one book before I have time to buy him another. I'm grateful that there are so many of them. My son is forever reading something interesting or funny and rushes in to tell me about it. These books have fostered his love of reading and broadened his knowledge of history. They're wonderful. ... Read more

Product Description
This book explores the ordinary daily routines, behaviours, experiences and beliefs of the Scottish people during a period of immense political, social and economic change. It underlines the importance of the church in post-Reformation Scottish society, but also highlights aspects of everyday life that remained the same, or similar, notwithstanding the efforts of the kirk, employers and the state to alter behaviours and attitudes. Drawing upon and interrogating a range of primary sources, the authors create a richly coloured, highly-nuanced picture of the lives of ordinary Scots from birth through marriage to death. Analytical in approach, the coverage of topics is wide, ranging from the ways people made a living, through their non-work activities including reading, playing and relationships, to the ways they experienced illness and approached death.This volume: *Provides a rich and finely nuanced social history of the period 1600-1800 *Gets behind the politics of Union and Jacobitism, and the experience of agricultural and industrial 'revolution' *Presents the scholarly expertise of its contributing authors in a accessible way *Includes a guide to further reading indicating sources for further study ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A superb basic reference
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Scotland is a straightforward reference filled with place names, historical figures, Scottish terms and more that one is likely to encounter when studying Scotland's history and present-day circumstances. Full-color yet moderately small illustrations, one on each page, add a visual touch to a small handful of the entries. The entries are of course listed in alphabetical order, and most of them are quite brief, succinctly summarizing the topic in a single paragraph. A superb basic reference, especially for those who need to be able to digest the significance of a term related to Scotland in a bare minimum of time.

Good information source for those interested in Scotland
Scotland is a country with a lot of history and therefore a lot of stuff to be included in an encyclopedia.This book attempts to include as much information as possible within the confines of a single volume work.On the one hand it is great because you end up with a single volume with entries for just about anything you would want to look up.On the other hand because there are so many entries many of them are not a very thorough treatment of the subject.The book actually ends up with such short entries that it actually seems to fall somewhere between a dictionary and an encyclopedia, more than a dictionary entry, less than an encyclopedic entry.With the occasional longer article that is very well done and more in line with a traditional encyclopedic entry, lots of photos, and listings for just about everything, every place, and everyone with links to Scottish history The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Scotland is still a recommended read for anyone interested in Scotland. ... Read more

Product Description
From the Picts to the Scottish Parliament, The Oxford Companion to Scottish History is the definitive guide to twenty centuries of life in Scotland.
Compiled by more than 170 eminent contributors, it covers over 2000 years and extends from Galloway to Orkney and Shetland and from the Borders to the Western Isles. At more than half a million words and nearly 800 pages, this wide-ranging resource provides comprehensive coverage of Scotland's eventful history--interpreting that history broadly enough to include archaeology, architecture, culture, folk belief, climate, geology, and languages. Readers will find entries on figures such as Columba, Macbeth, and William Wallace sitting alongside entries on sport and culture--on Burns Clubs, curling, and shinty--and on major historical issues such as clans, Clearances, and Covenanters. In addition to concise factual entries, longer articles explore key themes such as kingship, national identity, migration, women, urban and rural life, the economy, housing, living standards, and religious beliefs across the centuries. Maps, genealogies, a chronology, a substantial guide to further reading, a thematic contents list, and an index add further to the value of this excellent resource.
Authoritative and hugely informative, this superb Companion is an essential source of information for anyone interested in Scottish history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Comprehensive coverage of the Country's Past

Thoroughly researched and written in a spirited and approachable style, here is a comprehensive coverage of Scotland's rich past.
Truly an encyclopedic reference to a complex story with unparalleled insight.

This is a book for lovers of a fascinating history!

Dag Stomberg ... Read more

Product Description
This story of early Scotland begins 10,000 years ago at the end of the Ice Age when the familiar Scottish geography of mountains, glens, and rugged coasts evolved. It follows the movement of hunter-gatherers north, the growth of fishing, the establishment of farming.The author also covers cultural evolution in Scotland – the roles played by megalith builders, Celts, Picts, and others. 22 color, 2 b&w illustrationsAmazon.com Review
Before Scotland: The Story of Scotland Before History delves deep into the little-known world of the Picts, Scots, and others who lived before written records. It is a far-ranging book, jumping back and forth from a discussion of an ice age 24,000 years ago to a sidebar on the turn-of-the-century Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky. Scotland itself is the only connection between passages on the disparate topics of geology, ancient and modern history, archeology, biology, and anthropology. Before Scotland resists the current fashion in nonfiction to turn history into narrative. It generally reads like a graduate-level textbook, with a touch of bone-dry humor thrown in for good measure. In a typical reference-laden passage, the author describes a foreign name for Scotland, writing, "Lucan, Pliny the Elder, Tacitus and Ptolemy all wrote of Caledonia, and the name has shown considerable staying power. Not only has it survived in place-names like Dunkeld, the nearby mountains of Schiehallion and elsewhere, it is also frequently used in the brands of commercial companies as a pungent and meaningful alternative to 'Scotland' or 'Scottish.' And its poetic atmosphere is often found in popular music and poetry. Exiles appear to be homesick more readily for Caledonia." Occasionally witty and genuinely informative, Before Scotland will greatly interest historians, linguists, and anyone curious about how the natural world has evolved in Scotland through the centuries. --Jennifer Buckendorff ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Great work that rambles some
I devoured this book for its insights into a period of history hard to lern about: pre-Roman scotland. I left very very informed. Some of the negative reviews have noted that it drifts some, both in terms of subject matter and style. But after you read the first few chapters (which are solid) it is easy to skip through subjects you are not as interested and home in those you are.

Not a Story, but a collection of anecdotes
This book goes more to show how many books the author could cite in his reading list than to narrate the history of Scotland. Bragging that this book breaks out of the mold of 'narrative' history is more a confession that the author possesses no grasp of the development of pre-Scottish Scotland.

It is not even particularly useful as a place-name guide, because the one map provided must have come from his book on the history of the Scottish Border Region, as it shows only that region in (sparse) detail, as compared to the paucity if not non-existent detail for the rest of Scotland, not to mention northern England or Ireland. The reader is left in the dark as to whether events occurred next door, or even in the same century (or millenium).

The lack of a pronounciation guide for Old Welsh leaves the reader in the dark as to how the various names evolved. Of course, there is always the possibility that this hides the fact that the author can't vocalize it either. Even the mention of P-Gaelic and Q-Gaelic is less than useful when there so few examples given.

Considering that the publisher offers self-publishing services, it probably was, a probably-partisan Oxford professor's endorsement notwithstanding.

Awesome storytelling
This was without doubt the most enthralling history of a place that I have ever read - and that's a broad statement from someone who loves biographies. It was readable, not at all stilted in language or style, and very hard to put down. Moffat tells the story and describes the people - and although a lot is conjecture and extrapolation, it has never been done better.

Infotainment for kids
1.Couldn't stand the writing style: like an over-enthusiastic schoolteacher performing - seems to have been written for kids, perhaps around year 7. (eg tedious explanations of human behaviours I think most adults would already understand).

2. He's all over the place, continually jumping to modern day examples and/or non-Scottish material (eg on one page he explains how Mt Everestwas formed!).Seems the guy has a broad knowledge and just loves to show it off.

3.Continually presents his hypotheses as though fact.I'd like a dollar for every time something "must have" occurred without any supporting evidence.

You may suspect I'm exaggerating - unfortunately not.

Fascinating tour
Alistair Moffat has produced an excellent introduction to Scottish prehistory. Moffat reviews the archeology and history of Scotland from roughly 11,000 years ago until the beginning of the Middle Ages. He is at his best when he examines the archeological evidence and what it tells us about how these early inhabitants lived--what their homes were like, what they ate, how they obtained their food, the material culture they produced, and what we can guess about their religious practices. Many of the descriptions of actual historical events (with the exception of the Roman period) are covered in too little detail to be satisfying.

Although readers with training in the hard sciences may wince at some of Moffat's comments--his brief description of the Big Bang and formation of the solar system, for example--and everyone except for native Scots will wish that a good map had been included, this book is well worth the time spent. Sit back, pour a wee nip of single malt, and enjoy this journey into the past. ... Read more

Product Description
The first–ever history of the Black Death in Scotland. ... Read more

Product Description
A history of Scotland Yard presents dozens of cases, discussing the case of Jack the Ripper; Reg Christie, who murdered six women; and the henpecked Dr. Crippen, who murdered his wife. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Read it!
I've read nearly everything by Ann Rule. This was every bit as good--if not better. Thoroughly researched and every selection/chapter fascinating. He is the perfect true crime writer. I wish the author would do another similar book. Additionally, the book is about British criminals including Jack the Ripper in Victorian England, and a little information behind the genesis of Scotland Yard. He even discusses Sir Arthur Conan and Sherlock Holmes(my favorite author/stories). A HIGHLY recommended and delightful read.

Entertaining and Educational History
Bloody Business
This history of British crime has some of the most fascinating and sensational cases handled by Scotland Yard. Many works of fiction portray Scotland Yard detectives as slow plodders. Or is this a class-based outlook? This book is about the "sharp-eyed blokes" who solved intricate mysteries, daring crimes, and the bloodiest of murders. It is also the record of balancing law and order with Britain's "ancient and jealously guarded freedoms" (p.4). Chapter 1 tells of finding a body in a car parking lot at Gatwick. In a few hours the victim was identified, the main suspect determined, and an arrest order sent to Massachusetts (p.10). The English system of policing was first left to local authorities, and the constable. Edward I and the Statute of Winchester returned police power to the people who were obliged to carry arms. In 1748 Henry Fielding, the novelist and playwright, was appointed magistrate and began the professional police force known as the "Bow Street Runners" (p.16). In 1829 Robert Peel created the Metropolitan Police for London. It quickly reduced thefts and robberies. The end of the Bow Street Runners eliminated this detective force (p.31). This was followed by creating a detective force in 1842, a plain clothes force. Page 33 tells of the Great Train Robbery (not like the film). Charles Dickens wrote about true crimes, and created England's first fictional detective in "Bleak House"

The author explains Sherlock Holmes' comments in "Copper Beeches" as referring to the murder of Harriett Richardson (Chapter 4). The Victorian years were marked by the most hideous crimes. This chapter tells of the murder of Francis Kent. Detective Jonathan Whicher interviewed all the household, and concluded the murderer was Constance, the older step-sister. The court and the press did not agree. Later Constance confessed and was sent to prison. Willkie Collins' "The Moonstone" was inspired by this case, and his "Sergeant Cuff" had the physical description of Sergeant Jonathan Whicher. Another story "ripped from the headlines"? Chapter 5 tells of the first murder to be committed on a train. Detective Dick Tanner followed the clues, then caught a break from a cabman. The suspect, Franz Muller, had sailed to America. Tanner left on a steamship to arrive 2 to 3 weeks before Muller. Muller was arrested, extradited, tried, convicted, and hanged. Chapter 6 has the further developments of the detective force, and some famous murder case of that era. Chapter 7 tells of "Jack the Ripper", who was never caught. Jeffers suggests an immigrant from Eastern Europe, but could he have been literate enough to write the letters?

Chapter 10 notes that A. Conan Doyle started the style of a private consulting detective who outperforms the police. The police journal replied that Sherlock did not have to take on all cases, street brawls to knife fights, for workman's wages with a politician looking over his shoulder. But A. Conan Doyle did investigate and solve a jewelry theft, and others (p.99). In the case of Oscar Slater, Doyle wrote that once the police picked out a suspect, they avoided looking elsewhere. Another writer, Erle Stanley Gardner, often wrote of this human error. Juries are told to wait for all the testimony before they reach a verdict. Chapter 11 tells of other physicians, the Doctors William Palmer, Thomas Smethurst, Edward Pritchard, and Neill Cream; all murdered by poison. The murder of Dr. Harvey Crippen saw two innovations: using radio to catch him, and forensic pathology to identify his wife's body (the head was never found).

The remaining chapters contain a selection of various crimes and punishments, and the ongoing developments of the Metropolitan Police and Scotland Yard.
... Read more

Product Description
The "Wanderings and Homecoming" of Odysseus is a true adventure legend which took place some 3200 years ago, mostly in the North Atlantic.

About 700 years after the event, the legend was used by the Greek Homer to create a whole new heroic and patriarchal past for the Greek people. He removed many important details pertaining to the Goddess society and religion and added many unrelated stories and fabrications to make it sound as if the Odyssey took place in the Mediterranean. He did everything possible to destroy the memory of the pre-patriarchal society.

In Odysseus and the Sea Peoples readers will learn where Odysseus did go, complete with archaeological, legendary and linguistic evidence. This suggests that Odysseus was no Greek at all. Instead, he was the Hebridian leader of the war fleet assembled by the peoples of the "Islands of the Great Green Sea" as the Egyptians called the Atlantic. The disastrous results of their attack on Egypt are documented.

The second part of the book describes the society, religion, blood characteristics and migrations of the two main Sea Peoples and how they mixed to become us. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Not worth it.
First, from the product description here at Amazon:

"His next effort is expected to be the translation of the 1200-year-old Aurai'cept na n' ees, the operations manual of the Benedectine monks. It was writte in codified Basque shorthand and promises to be very time-consuming."

This is nonsense. The 'Aurai'cept na n' ees' [sic], or more properly the 'Auraicept na n-Éces', is a 7th century Irish text, and most certainly not written in Basque. The 'Auraicept na n-Éces' is a grammar text with some valuable parts dealing with old Irish ogham.

Second, the book itself: more nonsense. It is nothing but strongly revisionist history that M. Gimbutas would have adored during the last ten years of her career. I would put it nearly on a par with the Oera Linda hoax, except that the author of this text seems genuinely serious about what is being written.

Reviewing it in any more depth than this would be a waste of time.

Deep Revisionist History
Attempting to illuminate the links between Marija Gimbutas' Old Europe and the birth of Western Civilization, Nyland focuses on the Homeric epic of the Odyssey to show how it was transposed in locale from the North Sea to the Mediterranean, from goddess worshipping sea-farers to patriarchal culture heroes. His primary tool is an idiosyncratic linguistic analysis of geographic names based on the Basque language, backed up with a close reading of the text. His speculations on the origins and diaspora of the Sea Peoples, Odysseus' kin, becomes a revelation with immense historical ramifications.

<br><br>I'm gonna paint my face blue...<br>

...until I hold my breath.

A century ago Samuel Butler built a case that "The Odyssey" was written by a woman in Sicily.George Bernard Shaw listened to one of Butler's lectures and became convinced.Robert Graves, author of "I, Claudius" was sufficiently intrigued that he later wrote a novel with Butler's claims as the basis.Whether true or not, it's generally agreed that "The Iliad" had a different, earlier author.

However, the gyst of this book is that the story of Odysseus was borrowed by the Greeks from the British Isles, and that when restored to what is in Nyland's opinion their correct context, 1000 years is added to Scottish and Irish history.In a way, Nyland follows a number of others before him, such as whoever claimed that someone named Brutus fled Troy and founded Britain, or Vergil who composed "The Aeneid" to create a mythic past for Rome, or even those who sinisterly claim that somehow the Europeans are the real Jews and the modern Jews imposters, or Martin Bernal who claims all kinds of things.

Following an historian named Edward Furlong, Nyland finds the supposed British roots to placenames and other words in the Odyssey.He also links the ancient Ogam inscriptions of the Celts (a writing system that is quite pre-Roman, not "early Christian" as Nyland states, and found throughout western Europe at the very least) with Basque.He assures us that the tale has been "dreadfully distorted and added to", which is something I'd apply to Nyland's book.

It's still worth reading, because of the actual historical details he includes, and entertaining because of his unsubstantiated leaps.Go ahead, give it a try.

Nyland used to have a website only.The website was still up last I checked, complete with the warning that he isn't "Dr. Edo Nyland, professor emeritus of geo-physics at the University of Alberta".

... Read more

Product Description
Scottish history has long been dominated by the romantic tales of Robert the Bruce, William Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots, and Bonnie Prince Charlie. But the explosion of serious historical research in the last half-century has fueled a keen desire for a better-informed and more satisfying understanding of the Scottish past.This attractively designed book--boasting scores of illustrations, include eight color plates--brings together the leading authorities on Scottish history, who range from Roman times until the present day, offering a more accurate and sophisticated portrait of Scotland through the ages. The contributors take us from medieval Scotland, to the crisis created by Mary Queen of Scots and the trauma of Reformation, to the reign of James VI and the Union of the Crowns (1603). They discuss the seventeenth century, when a stern Calvinist Kirk launched an unprecedented attack on music, dancing, drama, and drinking, and the remarkable transformation of enlightenment Scotland, when the small nation became a great force in European literature, with such eminent figures as David Hume, Adam Smith, Robert Burns, and James Boswell. We discover that in the nineteenth century the Scottish economy, by some criteria, outpaced the rest of Britain, and its preeminence in heavy engineering was unquestioned. And we follow Scotland through the turbulent twentieth century, enduring two world wars and a depression, before ending on a high note, with Scotland enjoying its first parliament in three hundred years. What emerges here is a portrait of a confident people who slowly built an important place for themselves in the wider world--the story of a remarkably positive, assured, and successful kingdom. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

The history of Scoland for people who already know the history of Scotland
If you are looking for your first book on the history of Scotland, this is not it.

This is a very, very detailed review of Scottish history which presumes you already have a detailed knowledge of the subject.If you are looking for an introduction to the history of Scotland, this is not your book.This book does not give you an overview or context for the history, but gives lots of detail for those who are already knowledgeable about the history of Scotland.The book is not an easy read.Some of the passages in this book are almost impenetrable; with paragraphs that run two, three or even four pages long.

This book does not really give much information on Scotland before 1100.If you are interested in the geologic or pre-historic history of Scotland, this book will not give you that information.

If you are looking for detailed information on Scotland and the succession of Scottish kings after 1100, this book contains vast amounts of detailed information.

Scotland: wee giant of the British Isles
What is an American reader who is neither a Scot nor a scholar of Scotland likely to know about that country? That there are highlanders who wear kilts and eat haggis. That Shakespeare's Macbeth was once Scotlands's king. That Robert the Bruce learned patience watching a spider weave its web. That John Knox brought a dour Calvinism to the Kingdom, at the same time putting the skids under Mary Queen of Scots. That Walter Scott and George Gordon Lord Byron (who had a titled Scottish mother) wove long narrative poems and Scott also wrote IVANHOE and other novels about the past of England and Scotland. Maybe an American reader has also seen movies such as KIDNAPPED, ROB ROY, BRAVEHEART and the TV series THE HIGHLANDER.

That seems very little to know about a country but is enough to assure that a reader will both enjoy and benefit from SCOTLAND: A HISTORY. MacBeth is in its pages as well as the murdered Duncan and his sons and the beginning of the three-century plus Stewart/Stuart dynasty. King Robert the Bruce and the initially obscure William Wallace contend for the mythic soul of Scots both high and low. John Calvin's Kirk definitively colors Scotland's religion and politics for over 400 years. Professor Richard B. Sher of Rutgers University concludes his dazzling Chapter 6, "Scotland Transformed: The Eighteenth Century," this way: "By the end of the eighteenth century, Burns was dead and Ferguson, Mackenzie, and Blair in retirement, but the age of Walter Scott was about to begin" (p. 208). ***

Throughout, the eleven authors narrate with color and precision. That John Knox wrote in the vernacular is no surprise. Much earlier in the same 16th century Gavin Douglas in his ENEADOS had translated Vergil's AENEID into Scots, even before anyone did it in southern English (p. 319). It is striking that in their "diaspora" (Chapter 9) Scots appeared in some numbers in Prussia, Poland, RussiaSweden and South Africa. Scots also left their mark as military and civil officers in British India.

There is a consensus among the editor and authors that for too long Scottish history was almost a monopoly of Presbyterian writers. Their slants were important but tended to obscure the case for other persuasions and values, such as the more fun-loving English and their taste for "cakes and ale." Scots are also great story tellers and chroniclers and it is important that 21st century scholars have revisited critically and displayed anew the old sources. This they do convincingly in SCOTLAND: A HISTORY.

-OOO-

Through 80 pages ...
Having been published very recently, this book with many contributors synthesizes the latest scholarship.I have just finished the second chapter, AD 1100-1300.This period of Scotland becoming a nation seems to pivot on the reign of David I (1124-53), although later monarchs' of Scots achievements are detailed too, such as the bringing of the Western Isles into the realm.It is worthwhile reading, but occasionally the author's grammar or an obscure reference is confusing.
I was most interested in the first chapter, written by University of Glasgow's Katherine Forsyth."Origins: Scotland to 1100" is the period I have been reading about the most over several years.Obviously 39 pages cannot contain exceptional detail (compared to an entire book on the subject, such as Smyth's 'Warlords and Holy Men: Scotland AD 80-1000', which, by the way, also gives great insight into the eleventh century, besides the whole first millenium,) but I found it to be a suitable introduction to this period for such as a single-volume of Scottish history might offer.The author's speciality in epigraphy allows for some intriguing insights, while not hindering a thorough overall impression of the period. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

Great photos, great writing, great book
This is history not only of the Scottish people but also of the land itself.It starts with an examination of the natural forces that shaped Scotland into the land it is today.From ice age carved valleys to the incredible natural stone columns at Fingal's Cave it is a land of contrasts.After examining the land the author turns to the most remote ancestral people of Scotland and the curious stone circles and other artifacts they left behind.Moving forward in time they next examine the arrival of various more modern historical groups including the Celts, the Roman invaders, the Gaels, Picts, Britons, Angles, Vikings, and Normans.

The author also examines the various social, cultural, and political changes Scotland went through and how things like the Industrial age, highland clearances, Scotland's role in WWI, the depression, population expansion and North Sea Oil changed the face of Scotland forever.One of the particularly interesting chapters is one on how the Scottish people transitioned from tribal kingdoms to a more cohesive group and then united with the Picts to form a nation state and then united these kingdoms with England.

Key individuals in the book include Saint Columba, MacBeth, William Wallace, Robert Bruce, and Robert Burns.Throughout the book are beautiful pictures of landscapes, castles, abbeys, historical ruins, and modern structures that provide a visual history of Scotland.Combined with the text it is a thorough and wonderfully written tribute and history to those of us with a Scottish ancestry.The Illustrated History of Scotland is a top quality hardback book that should be on the shelf of everyone interested in Scottish history.

Excellent combination of coffee table book and solid history
There's much more to Scotland than whisky, tartan, and kilts.This book looks at Scotland's history - from early pre-history and mysterious stone circles similar to Stonehenge, up to the present day and the new parliament building, still under construction.

Tabraham and Baxter's book does double duty both as a 'coffee table' book and as a useful historical text.If you're interested in Scotland, or considering visiting the country, this will be very helpful and will enable you to make sense of the various phases of Scotland's history and its leading figures.

The Illustrated History of Scotland can be enjoyed on different levels.At the most simplistic level, you can simply flip through it, stopping at interesting pictures, reading the descriptive captions, and perhaps then skimming through a bit of the nearby related text.As a coffee table type book, it meets the high standards of printing and photography you'd hope for.

For a slightly more indepth appreciation, the book has many highlighted one and two page articles that cover interesting elements of Scottish history and culture.These can be read in any order, without needing to be carefully reading through the entire text from page 1 to 224.

The true Scottish enthusiast will, however, choose to do exactly this - read the complete text from start to finish.

The writing style is clean and crisp, rather than dry and scholarly.It does a lot more than just recite historical facts.It adds some interesting personal observation and commentary, and puts the historical facts into context, commenting on their implications to ordinary Scottish people, and making the historical events seem much more meaningful and relevant.

The book could certainly contain more content, but its objective is to provide you with a fair and interesting overview of Scottish history rather than a complete recitation of every fact, no matter how minor.The book gives an excellent, readable, and comprehensive introduction to Scotland and its history.And doubtless some of the omissions from this book (which are generally more social than historical) will be included in a companion book 'Illustrated Encyclopedia of Scotland', due in October 04.

If you're wanting to better understand the country before visiting, or want a memento of a visit previously enjoyed, this would be an excellent choice.

The Illustrated History of Scotland is an interesting, appealing, and enjoyable book.Whether you're seriously interested in Scotland or just a casual reader, you'll find plenty to enjoy in this beautifully presented book.

Recommended.

Of special interest and value for the novice student
For the non-specialist general reader, the history of the land of Robert Burns, Scotch whisky, and Queen Mary has never been so well done as with the Oyster Press edition of The Illustrated History Of Scotland by Chris Tabraham (Principal Inspector of Ancient Monuments for Historic Scotland). The informed and informative text is superbly illustrated throughout with the professional photography of Colin Baxter. Of special interest and value for the novice student of Scottish history is extensive "Chronology" appendix that begins in 2,800,000,000 BC with the stones of Scotland's original formation near the South Pole, and then proceeds upward to the Second Elections to the Scottish Parliament of 2003 AD. No personal, professional, academic, or community library World History collection can be considered complete without the inclusion of Chris Tabraham's The Illustrated History Of Scotland! ... Read more

Product Description
The history of the Scottish monarchy can be presented as a long tale of triumph over adversity, characterised by the personal achievements of its truly remarkable rulers who transformed their fragile kingdom into the master of northern Britain.

This volume charts that process, tracing it through the lives of the men and women whose ambitions drove it forward on the often rocky path from its semi-mythical foundations to its integration into the Stewart kingdom of Great Britain. It is a route way-marked by such towering personalities as Macbeth, Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots, whose lives have made an indelible imprint in world history, but directed also by a host of less well-known figures, such as Causantin mac Aeda, who challenged the heirs of Alfred for the mastery of Britain; David I, who extended his kingdom almost to the gates of York; and James IV, builder of the finest navy in northern Europe. Their will and ambition, successes and failures not only shaped modern Scotland, but have left their mark throughout the British Isles and the wider world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

KIngws and Queens of Scotland
Excellent short reviews of Scots rulers. Begins in the murky pre-history period and moves swiftly forward. A good quick read and review for anyone interested in the topic, and considerably cheaper than some of Dr. Oram's other works. ... Read more

Product Description
"An unqualified triumph."-Alexander McCall Smith

A vivid, wide-ranging, and engrossing account of Scotland's history, composed of timeless stories by those who experienced it first-hand. Contributors range from Tacitus, Mary, Queen of Scots, and Oliver Cromwell to Adam Smith, David Livingstone, and Billy Connolly. These include not only historic moments-from Bannockburn to the opening of the new Parliament in 1999-but also testimonies like that of the eight-year-old factory worker who was dangled by his ear out of a third-floor window for making a mistake, the survivors of the 1746 Battle of Culloden, who wished perhaps that they had died on the field, John Logie Baird, inventor of television, and great writers including Conan Doyle, Robert Louis Stevenson, and the editor of Encyclopedia Britannica.

From the battlefield to the sports field, this is living, accessible history told by criminals, servants, housewives, poets, journalists, nurses, prisoners, comedians, and many more.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Encounters with a Challenge

This book brings together the literary work of many ordinary and also not so ordinary people down through the ages of two millennia.

What a clever idea to 'write' an autobiography of a Country's folk.
The thoughts, aspirations, successes and failures that help the
reader come to grips with the Scottish character then and now.
There is alot to know about Scottish culture, history and society
and this provides a giant step in coming to terms with a written
history of a Country's people and their identity!

Dag Stomberg
... Read more